We are Jessica & Sarah. We have been friends since we were five years old. We were bridesmaids at each others weddings. We love nice things just like the next person, but realize the importance of living frugally. We have always been a support to each other in this regard and we started this blog to encourage & inspire others in their own monetary goals and prove that life is better with a budget. (Yes, we did just say that!) Here at Pretty Providence, you'll find fashion for under $25, home decor D.I.Y.'s, cheap and easy recipes, and other stuff we feel is relevant to our frugal lifestyles.
Here are a few pictures of us together at our bridal showers. We're not at liberty to show you pictures from girls camp when we were 13. Braces, ya know? And visors. Trust us, these are better.
Why hello there. I grew up mostly in the Draper, Utah area, but I lived in Dallas, Texas for three years as well. I am the oldest child of four and my family is pretty awesome. I credit my Dad for instilling frugality in me at a young age. I have never been a big spender and when I was in High school he would bribe me to read books like, "The Four Laws of Debt Free Prosperity" and "Total Money Makeover". Thanks for that, Dad, if you are reading this. After High School I went on to Brigham Young University. My first year there I met my handsome and hilarious genius of a husband who hates it when I use ampersands &&&&&. *(Just for you babes.) When we got married we both had two years of college left. We each worked two jobs and I took 18 credits a semester so that we could make it through school without debt. We graduated together in December 2009. After graduation we both found jobs, and I worked until I delivered our sweet son, Luke. We made the decision that I should quit work to be able to stay at home with our little monkey. It is hard financially as we are now three people living off one person's earnings, and we anticipate that number will grow in the future, but it is so worth it. Just like anyone else budgeting can be really hard for me. I hope this blog helps you with your goals half as much as it helps me with mine.
Here's a picture of my little family:
More on Sarah:
I am from Draper, Utah also and I feel blessed to have come from a blended family of ten - it's complicated, and I love them all. I recently finished my Bachelors degree in Family Studies. My husband graduated too, he's an Engineer with a gold calculator watch. He's also a musician. I just think he's the best ever. We relocated to Houston, Texas in May 2013 to start next chapter of our life together. We are super frugal and avoid all debt because we have big dreams. We're looking forward to starting a family, adopting a dog and hopefully buying a home in the near future. It wasn't until a few years ago that I realized it was important to budget and save. I'm a spender by nature, but we received a book as a wedding gift that would change the way I view money forever: Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Makeover." (Notice Jess & I both mentioned this? We most highly recommend it.) I began doing all kinds of research on ways to save more by using coupons, cutting unnecessary costs out of our budget, and becoming more self-reliant. I developed a passion for finding good deals. Budgeting is not easy, especially because it is still relatively new to me. However, since I have changed my lifestyle it has become the way I love to live. I am determined to live providently so that I can have the security I need and the fun lifestyle I want. Anyway, yard saling, thrift shopping and fixing up old things is a fun hobby to have. The fact that it saves money is simply a bonus.
Here is a picture of me and my rad Husband:
